J Korean Med Sci.  2023 Mar;38(11):e83. 10.3346/jkms.2023.38.e83.

Neurological and Psychiatric Manifestations of Post-COVID-19 Conditions

• Jung YH
• Ha EH
• Park J
• Choe KW
• Lee WJ
• Jo DH

• KMID: 2540650
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2023.38.e83

Abstract

Background
We aimed to investigate the factors associated with neurological manifestations of post-coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) conditions.
Methods
We retrospectively collected data from 440 patients who visited our post-COVID-19 clinic more than 4 weeks after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection. We analyzed the prevalence of different neurological symptoms (brain fog, memory impairment, headache, and dizziness) and assessed the associated factors.
Results
Brain fog was the most common symptom, observed in 170 patients (38.6%), followed by headaches (n = 137, 31.1%), dizziness (n = 128, 29%), and memory impairment (n = 104, 23.6%). Brain fog was associated with hyposmia or hypogeusia (odds ratio [OR], 2.54; P < 0.001), Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) (OR, 1.06; P < 0.001), and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-Anxiety (OR, 1.09; P = 0.037). Memory impairment was associated with sleep problems (OR, 2.83; P < 0.001), FSS (OR, 1.05; P < 0.001), and age (OR, 1.02; P = 0.015). Headache was associated with sleep problems (OR, 2.28; P= 0.001), sex (OR, 1.68; P = 0.042), and FSS (OR, 1.04; P < 0.001). Dizziness was associated with sleep problems (OR, 2.88; P < 0.001), and FSS (OR, 1.04; P < 0.001). The incidence of brain fog ( P < 0.001), memory impairment ( P < 0.001), dizziness (P = 0.007), and headache (P = 0.045) accompanied by hyposmia and hypogeusia was higher in patients with the aforementioned symptoms than in those without.
Conclusion
This study suggests that there is a relationship between neurological symptoms and other clinical factors, such as fatigue, depression, anxiety, hyposmia, and hypogeusia.

Keyword

Post-COVID-19 Condition; Brain Fog; Headache; Dizziness; Memory Impairment

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Prevalence of neurological and psychiatric symptoms in post-COVID-19 patients.COVID-19 = coronavirus disease 2019, FSS = Fatigue Severity Scale, HADS = Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale.

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  Fig. 2 Comparison of the prevalence of hyposmia and hypogeusia in the patients with neurological and psychiatric symptoms of post-COVID-19 condition.COVID-19 = coronavirus disease 2019.

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